Arsenal lead race for Europe’s HOTTEST young striker as €30m bid confirmed

Robin Bairner

• 16 Nov 2025 06:30 CST
• 3 min read

News

Arsenal are seeking to sign Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong, who has exploded to become Europe’s top striking prospect in recent months.

Mikel Arteta’s side have found themselves short of firepower in recent years but sought to solve that problem by signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in the summer.

While the arrival of the Swede has had a positive impact on the Gunners, they do not want to find themselves short in that area in the future and are already seeking to sign one of the best up-and-coming No.9s in the game.

Current ETV

Karl Etta Eyong

F (C)

Levante

Karl Etta Eyong

F (C)

Levante

€24.1M

ETV Range

€21.7M - €26.5M

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Etta Eyong, meanwhile, only joined Levante in the summer for just €3.8m in a deal with Villarreal, who retain a 20% stake in the player.

After scoring five goals in nine games for his new club, he has convinced a raft of big teams that he is a player worth pursuing.

Barcelona were hot on his tail in the summer, but Catalan source Sport indicates that Arsenal have overtaken Hansi Flick’s side in the race to snap up the 22-year-old. Arteta’s men are said to be ahead of Real Madrid and a host of Premier League teams in the race, with Manchester United previously rumoured to be interested in Etta Eyong previously.

The Gunners are prepared to sign him in January and loan him back to Levante for the remainder of the season.

With Etta Eyong having already played for Villarreal as well as his current side, FIFA legislation would not allow him to play for a third team in a single campaign.

Arsenal come up with a winning formula for Etta Eyong

Jose Danvila, Levante’s largest shareholder, has recently told Radio Marca that there is a huge clamour to sign Etta Eyong.

“We receive offers for him every day,” he said. “The player is not going to be sold. He will not be leaving this winter.”

CSKA Moscow have already had a €30m bid for the player rejected, with Etta Eyong disinterested in a move to Russia, despite the prospect of a substantial wage increase.

Arsenal’s desire to loan him back to Levante could be a game-changing option for the Spanish side.

Danvila said: “Our priority is staying up. It doesn’t make sense to make an effort in the summer and sell him in the winter.

“The club’s greatest asset is staying in La Liga, even if a very large bid comes in.”

Arsenal’s offer to loan Etta Eyong straight back to Levante could allow the Spanish side the best of both worlds.